Alienware used to be the provider of some of the most expensive and powerful computers - both in the notebook realm and also in the desktop market as well. Today things have changed slightly, and while they still provide really powerful computers, they are now more competitively priced. The prices can vary a lot depending on how they are configured, and today’s unit is pretty loaded, but there is room for upgrades if your wallet will allow it.

M17 Box

We’ve got the M17-R1 on the bench today and it comes loaded up with a single 160GB 7,200rpm hard drive - even though there are two HDD bays. It also comes with a DVDRW, 17” 1920x1200 screen, finger print reader, nice stereo speakers and a whole lot more. In terms of connectivity, this unit comes with 4 USB2.0 ports, a mini Firewire port, modem, GB Ethernet, eSATA, card reader, Expresscard slot, HDMI and VGA outputs. It is plumbed for a TV Tuner, but our model actually lacked this accessory. What it did come with though is a pair of 3870 graphics cards.

In The Box

UPS Resistant

In The Bag

Bundle of Goodies:

When you buy a mainstream machine like the Alienware M17, you get a little bit more than when you buy a budget Dell or Acer machine. The M17 comes with a few extras, including recovery DVDs that have already been made. You also get a snazzy Alienware hat so that you can brag to your friends that yours is better than theirs. Also in the box is a large power adapter and a few other disks that come loaded with drivers, recovery software and a bit more. All-in-all this is a nice bundle for this machine. One thing that I think would be great to have included is a good gaming mouse like the G5, NZXT Avatar or some other high-profile product. Alienware figures that most gamers already have a mouse, but I believe that if this was included, it would add more value to the product.

In The Bundle

It's nice to see the little touches they included in the package - such as the custom recovery DVD and nice slick manual. This adds value to the product for sure - although I'm sure there is more perceived value that actual value here.

Custom "Respawn" DVDR

Manual & CDs

On the next page we'll take our first look at the M17 before we continue.